Linux - NewbieThis Linux forum is for members that are new to Linux.
Just starting out and have a question?
If it is not in the man pages or the how-to's this is the place!
Notices
Welcome to LinuxQuestions.org, a friendly and active Linux Community.
You are currently viewing LQ as a guest. By joining our community you will have the ability to post topics, receive our newsletter, use the advanced search, subscribe to threads and access many other special features. Registration is quick, simple and absolutely free. Join our community today!
Note that registered members see fewer ads, and ContentLink is completely disabled once you log in.
If you have any problems with the registration process or your account login, please contact us. If you need to reset your password, click here.
Having a problem logging in? Please visit this page to clear all LQ-related cookies.
Get a virtual cloud desktop with the Linux distro that you want in less than five minutes with Shells! With over 10 pre-installed distros to choose from, the worry-free installation life is here! Whether you are a digital nomad or just looking for flexibility, Shells can put your Linux machine on the device that you want to use.
Exclusive for LQ members, get up to 45% off per month. Click here for more info.
I have a Toshiba NB205 and it is now asking for a built-in hdd/ssd password. I don't have a password (or my daughter has changed it) Is there any way to reset it or does anyone know what Toshiba set up for their passwords?
It is windows 7 starter and does not have a cd drive. Toshiba says they have no reset button or reset password and it is not covered by warranty and the hard drive will have to be changed.
It is windows 7 starter and does not have a cd drive. Toshiba says they have no reset button or reset password and it is not covered by warranty and the hard drive will have to be changed.
How old is the hard drive and system? You bought it from Toshiba or a vendor? If a vendor then contact them.
taking the cmos battery out for a few days mite reset the bios to factory default ?
Not that easy with most small footprint machines or portables. Battery access on Laptops, Notebooks and Netbooks are not always as accessible as the Desktop or tower machines. Even the latter small footprint desk units don't always have readily removable batteries. Most of the desk units do have the means to reset the BIOS but still not all.
Google tells me that for some laptops having a locked HDD, even replacing the HDD does no good; any harddisk that is installed will be locked in turn upon installation.
If you can, you might try to clear the CMOS BIOS chip, as suggested, or flash the BIOS. Sometimes these procedures remove or annul BIOS password protection and, assuming that the BIOS is controlling things, they might also work on the HDD password.
In addition, use the command "lshw" to identify the make and model of the HDD/SSD, then google for a disk utility for the device. A HDD utility such as HUTIL for Samsung or SeaTools for Seagate can change the basic settings for a HDD, and may be able to remove the password protection on a HDD.
I don't know anything about utilities for a SSD. You could also see if it is possible to flash any firmware on the drive.
What is the exact model number of your NB205; there are several?
Good Luck. Unfortunately you need it.
Last edited by thorkelljarl; 06-16-2010 at 08:08 AM.
The operating system is windows 7 starter and the exact model is nb205-n330pk. I have tried all of the numbers on the information sheet ( hoping that it was the model number or such) Not real comfortable taking the back off to remove battery but it doesn't work so what can it hurt? The unit is about 2 months old and was bought thru ebay (by my wife and hopefuuly a respected vendor so i will try to contact them).
It has been some time since I had to deal with a HDD password. There are two ways it can be done. One method requires the unit to have a LPT port and you make yourself a loopback adaptor. Pin one connects to pin 40, pin 2 connects to pin 39, etc until all pins are connected to another. The unit is then booted and the design of the board circuitry will clear "everything" including all HDD passwords. The other method I found successful was finding the two pins on the motherboard that were put there for the very purpose of clearing HDD passwords. That was on a Toshiba laptiop, of course not all boards provide that access but thanks to relentless Google searching, I found all of this information.
Hope this helps someone elses nightmare.
Not sure, but it may be possible to cause the same effect with a usb adaptor, as I understand the way the loopback adaptor works, is by directing a small dose of electricity creating a short circuit of sorts, and circumventing initial commands on boot up..If someone understood exacly why/how the lpt adaptor works, one might think any other similar method may work also. food for thought
Peace Brothers and Sisters
Last edited by hndsm1; 02-11-2015 at 12:42 PM.
Reason: spelling error
LinuxQuestions.org is looking for people interested in writing
Editorials, Articles, Reviews, and more. If you'd like to contribute
content, let us know.